Bion

Bion is an interactive art installation that explores the
relationship between humans and artificial life. The name makes
reference to an individual element of primordial biological energy
identified as orgone by the scientist Wilhelm Reich
(1897-1957). The installation is a sensor network that is composed of
1000 3-dimensional glowing and chirping sculptural
forms. Each bion, measuring approximately 4x3x2.5 inches is a
synthetic "life-form" consisting of a tiny computer, an audio speaker,
blue light emitting diodes, and multiple sensors. These sensor units have
the ability to communicate with, and react to, the bions around them
and the viewers that enter the space.

The experience:
when a viewer approaches the installation space, she witnesses a
dynamic array of blips of sound and blue light emanating in cloud-like
patterns from all parts of the room. She notices that the source of
the light and sound come from hundreds of small organic shaped
forms. The bions are communicating, unaware of the approaching
visitor. She enters the room; one of the bions is alerted to the
presence of a stranger and quickly communicates the information to the
swarm of bions. One by one, in rapid succession, the bions signal
other bions of the stranger and, in a wave-like pattern, become
silent. The bions eventually become accustomed to her presence and
begin to respond to her as if she was part of their ecosystem. They
become attracted to her and glow more intensely when she
nears. Eventually, she is incorporated into the dynamic array she once
witnessed.